Day 1 Melbourne to Bali
I was off to Bali to see the sight and buy fabric with four other like minded sewers.
Adam and Sandra picked me up at a little after 1 pm and we drove to the airport arriving about 2:15. Sandra and I went over to Jetstar area, but were too early for check-in but by the time I had been to the toilet the
machines were ready for us. Well almost! It took 5 tries and lots of
frustration to get checked in. Going to a person would have been a whole lot
faster. The other three in the party took longer to arrive and by then our bags
were finally accepted and we had all the paper work.
However Pauline had left
one of her bags in the car back at the long term parking, so she had gone back
to get it. While she was gone we had to pull things out of her case to get her
onto target weight. Hers weighed in at 21 kgs > 15 kgs. Luckily Chris only
had 9 kgs so we were able to even them out. Val and Chris checked in. More issues when
Pauline returned to check in and her British passport was so new, it needed to
be validated.
By now it was cup of tea time while we waited. Finally all
accepted and through the security and immigration check. Easy for me. 3:45. Gate 4 was short walk and wait until our flight was called. Because we were at the back we were called first and yippee
lots of overhead space. Boeing 787. First time in one of those 3-3-3 seats but
surrounded by babies and small children. Took off at 5:45 pm.
It was a smooth flight, but it was so warm on our side of the plane-
at times quite uncomfortable. When above Alice Springs, it became very turbulent. I was
surprised that they didn’t turn on the seat belt signs earlier but we did climb higher to 43000 feet. Although I had to pay $4 for a half a cup of tea, it was very nice tea. I ate
my pre-prepared sandwiches and fruit and drank lots of water. You could fill up
your water bottle for free down the back in the galley but everything else cost money. I finished my book, did some knitting and then time to begin the
diary.
Coming down to land the poor babies starting crying the place down. We landed
45 minutes early but because we were down the back it took ages to disembark. By the time we waited for all the joints to become mobile again were almost
last to the long, long queue.
Bali terminal was huge with a very high ceiling in the main
hall. It looks as if they are currently doing some renovations along the
smaller passages. The advantage of an early arrival time was soon eaten up by
waiting for our turn to be processed. The fellow holiday makers were a wide
range- the very young to the “much older”. Once outside the terminal the usual
bedlam of taxi drivers touting for business and more signs looking for
customers. Our drivers had been booked and waited while we changed money. I am
officially a millionaire!!!!! Well might be in Balinese money, but hey it will
only happen once in my lifetime so cause to celebrate.
New time was now 11 pm and we set off through the narrow
streets to find any restaurants that were still open. Most were of course
closed or closing. Finally the drivers found a great one called “The Wicked Parrot” A few
customers and one other party who also wanted a meal. Fabulous meals. I had
salmon on a bed of potato. Delicious. But not too many times in my life that I
have eaten dinner at 2 am!
We set off again in our vans through the dark streets up to
Ubud with the rain just starting. We finally arrived at our lovely
accommodation at 1:30 am = 3:30 am. Slightly problematic to climb the few steep
steps up from the street, but the drivers carried up the bags, which were
naturally quite light. We were met by Komang, our hostess,
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